-2015- A Whole Lot of Words

Tomorrow begins the start of the New Year! I still can't believe it. I have thought a lot about goals for myself and for my family lately, and if I write them down I'll stick to them. 

2013 was great for us. I was very content with Crew and so happy with the stage of life we were in. I set out to run a half marathon, and I ended up running two! I loved every bit of it...well not the days after the run. Sore sore sore. In 2013 we decided to expand our little family. I remember New Years eve was the first day that I was truly sick to my stomach. I was so nauseas and every smell about kicked me over. We were going bowling with my husbands family and the smell of that place was the absolute worse. I knew I was pregnant at the time but I think only my SIL knew and maybe my mom. So it was very hard to keep a straight face. Later that night at the family party they were cooking crab and steak. No. no. no. A pregnant girls worst nightmare. I tried to stay downstairs most of the time so that the smell wasn't too strong. I was extremely early in pregnancy (6.5 weeks) so there was no way I was telling everyone why I was having issues...until I pulled my MIL in a room to tell her. So not the way I wanted it to happen--but I had to have her back me up if I left the room to throw up, or if I needed extra help with Crew. So that's how we went into 2014...

My goals in 2014 were just to have a healthy baby (something I couldn't really control, but thought I could) and to have more faith. I was super sick (throwing up at least 4 times a day) for the first couple months of this year. I had all this ambition to be more organized, and have more energy to be a better wife and mother. Well all of that goes out the window when your in bed all day and then the bathroom! So 2014 was all about the baby and Crew. We played a lot, laid around a lot, and oh I finished one more semester of school. So that was good. Looking back, I did have more faith this year! I worry about every single thing in pregnancy, and this time around, I knew it was not in my control. All I could control was my attitude. Worrying doesn't do anything to the situation. The summer of 2014 was an interesting one. We moved to Chicago and Missouri. The summer did go by very fast for me, thanks to awesome friends and family that were out there with us. Laney was born in Missouri and then we made the trek home to Utah. 

Long story short--we were going to switch jobs after we bought a house in Utah that would transfer us to AZ longterm. I was sad to leave the cute little neighborhood that I loved, but we loved Arizona and we were in no way attached to our new house. We ended up keeping the same job after we moved but decided to stay in Arizona. So will someone buy our house in Utah when we can sell it? Thanks.  We love where we are at now, and are so excited to buy again in this area. We have met some fun friends, and think the area is golden. It is! It's perfect for our growing family. 

For 2015 the word I want to live by or always have in mind is IMPROVEMENT. I know, I know, isn't that the point of a new year, and goals? I just see so many ways that I can improve myself, the relationships around me, and my family. This year I will:

-be present more with my family...these are my people. My little group. We will experience the highest highs, and the lowest lows together. I need to do everything I can to not miss a moment with them. I always was slightly annoyed when my mom rushed home to be with the kids from work, or wouldn't do something for herself because it conflicted with a basketball game or a cheer performance. I can see now why she dedicated so much time to us! She loves us, and didn't want to miss a thing. (thanks mama)

-publish my work in photography one way or another. This is a hobby that I am so enthralled in. The industry is so competitive but we are all learning from each other. You can never be done learning in this hobby. There is always something to improve on, or learn. There is SO much to learn, but I am so excited to just jump in and figure it out. It's something that makes me happy and if I can deliver great images to others, then I will be even happier. 

-finish the pathway program (ha ha) yes...I'm doing this! I am excited. It's hard to explain on here, but google it if ya have to. I'll be going once a week to institute classes and then a gathering after, to go over our assignments for the week. This is something I have never experienced before and guys I need to know the scriptures more. I have to. As a mother how am I supposed to teach my kids if I don't even know a lot? Sure I study and read on my own, but I am excited for guidance and a class setting where we can discuss them together. I liked seminary a lot--so I have high hopes for this. The downside is that I have to be with unmarried college folks. Yikes. Totally not my thing...I skipped that. (ok it won't be that bad)Wish me luck. 

-Be healthy. Eat healthier. 

-Expand the family...ha ha I need to convince my better half on that one! It's safe to say that I'll always want to do that though. So don't take it seriously...

I am so excited for this year, I have more goals, but they don't need to be written publicly. Plus, I have written a lot. 

"There is room for improvement in every life. Regardless of our occupations, regardless of our circumstances, we can improve ourselves and while so doing have an effect on the lives of those about us." Gordon B. Hinckley

Happy (almost) 2015!

The days after getting home from a trip can either be great because I am itching to get back to my routine...or not so great because I am missing family and the great time we had with them.

I have loads of laundry to do...only doing the whites though because, well, you know...those take priority in our house. The rest can wait. 

(that's one of my goals for 2015. Do laundry start to finish asap)

 I love my kids (whaaaat? I have two) 

 They are stinkin' cute and so fun to be with....except when their not. Did I just admit that? Our life is far from perfect folks. Well, ok I think our baby might be pretty close to perfect but the rest of us are not! 

 I needed to take these photos so that when she is two years old and telling me to go to my room, I can look back and remember how innocent and sweet she was.

 and remember those yummy baby "boobies" along with her pursed lips...

 Crew can be so sweet with her and so loving and then bam, he turns into another human...well just a toddler, ya know-a normal one. The other day he pointed to me and yelled "GO IN ROOM MAMA!" Basically putting me in time out. It's already starting!

He is generally a good little kiddo, but I need to work on being a patient mama...

 I need these pictures to go back to on the super hard, and long days (aka summer) and remember that motherhood is shaping me into the woman I promised somebody that I would become. 

Reflecting on this year has opened my eyes a lot to how short this life really is. So much has happened to those around me...people have lost family members, lost their jobs, left the church, and I take all of those things for granted. My family, my husbands job, and my faith in the church. Those things are just so good to me that I have an extremely hard time when they aren't going so well for others.  I truly feel for them and want to help them in anyway that I can. I think that 2015 will be a great year, because I will make it one. We will have hard times, and wonderful times too. I'm choosing to make the best of things (summer...) and be grateful for what I have. We are all facing silent battles that no one notices. This next year I want to give people the benefit of the doubt and choose to be a kinder person. I cannot believe how fast this year went for me. It scares me a little. Did I make the best of it? Did I pray enough? Did I read enough? Did I reach out to others? All I know is that with little kids running around my home the days go by so slow but the years whiz by. This time next year I will have a 3 year old and a 1 year old. My little sunbeam and nursery girl. Insane. 

I hope 2015 is good for you. I honestly, truly do! 

Christmas 2014

[Christmas Eve]

We were so lucky to spend so much time with family in the short time that we were there. The kids had a blast and there was no shortage of kisses and cuddles for them!

We went to my aunts house Christmas eve and did a white elephant exchange. 

As you can see...Crew obviously had a few break downs...which was entertaining. 

I don't think that Laney could have received anymore cuddles than she did on this trip! 

These two people loved on her a lot.  

[Christmas Day]

Sorry for the picture overload, but there were just too many moments I couldn't pass up!

My parents love the grandkids and went all out for them! <well mainly Crew> 

The anticipation we all felt the night before was so exciting. We kept telling Crew that Santa Claus was coming and that he was bringing him presents. He would get so excited and pace the house repeating that line. 

I think he thought that he was really coming and that he would get to see him in person (ha ha) Every time that someone would knock on the front door...Crew would run up and say "Santa Claus?!"

So yea...we need to figure out how to get a real santa to come next year!

 We woke him up at 7am Christmas morning and all I whispered into his ear was "Santa came Crew!" and that boy was out of his deep sleep faster than I could count. 

He waited so patiently for papa to open all of his toys

 Then he waited in excitement for everyone else to open their gifts...and then he got tired of that, and just wanted it to be his turn!

 Little Laney doo woke-up and loved all of the lights, wrapping paper, and toys getting passed around the room. 

 This was one of my moms Christmas presents from Seth. This kid never fails to make us laugh. "I love when you make me do stuff all by myself." 

 Crew in all of his Christmas glory!

 Crew and Laney were in heaven while we were there. I only held Laney to feed her, and then back she went in someone else's arms. 

 Her faces kill me

 This guy sure knows how to pull of a surprise, one that had my mom and I in tears. My mom was just so happy and got all caught up in the moment...

 It snowed Christmas day which was a big deal. It hadn't really snowed in Utah the whole season...so it was pretty magical to wake up to a white Christmas. 

 He was too excited to play in the snow and build Olaf (which we never did) but he needed some snow gear!

 Cutest thing ever right? Those snow bibs were from when I was his age. So crazy. 

Then we made it home from my aunts house just in time to Skype Elder Lamb!

 The only decent picture we snapped of us four the entire trip--I think it turned out pretty cute

 He is doing incredibly well. It is so nice to have that privilege to talk with him for a few hours. (minus the fireworks that were going off in the background...which made it tough to hear) He has matured so much on his mission-which I didn't even think was possible for this kid. He is wise beyond his years and has always acted older than he was. He shared some great messages with us, and loves his mission. I don't think he wants to come home...really! Crew loved seeing him. Whenever I ask him where Uncle Zach is, he says "Mission, Church" so he sort of understands where he is. 

 GG and Laney...and when did Laney get so big? She is 4.5 months now!

 So we wanted a picture with Zach, and thought this would turn out...but where is Zach? Ooops.

 My moms house was pretty magical this year!

 Grandma tickling her and finally getting some real belly laughs...which made this mama happy!

 She loves her older brother to say the least. Whenever he is in the room her face lights up, she kicks her feet so hard, and follows him with her eyes. It's the cutest thing. 

Then we were off to Arizona in a plane filled with way too many people and one grumpy girl who wouldn't nurse...but wouldn't stop screaming. Lets just say that a few nasty glares were exchanged between some people and I through the tears coming out of my eyes. Luckily she finally fell asleep...but folks-when a baby is screaming on an airplane, please do not look at the mother and definitely do not make eye contact. It only makes the situation worse. 

We felt so lucky to be able to spend Christmas in Utah this year. So thankful for our Savior and his birth. We read the Christmas story on Christmas Eve and my gratitude was stronger than ever. We are so blessed to have our children around us, and our family during this time of year. I am so excited for when my kids understand and can really appreciate Christmas for what it truly is.